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Before going further with the topic and relating e-commerce with logistics, let us have a quick review of what e-commerce and logistics actually means. E-commerce is the new marketplace for the current generation. It is an electronic platform or best to say an Electronic marketplace from where you would be able to sell and buy everything that you want, starting from daily grocery to exclusive electronic appliances all under one single roof.

On the other hand, logistics refer to everything that a business operates and manages from the starting point wherein products are collected and consolidated till the point the product reaches the end consumers which can vary from residential consumers to even corporate houses.

E-Commerce today is largely depended on the operations of the logistics company as a perfect partner not only to deliver the goods to the end party but also to act as a provider of perfect LCL logistics services which also includes warehousing capabilities to stock product a large number of products. A quick understanding of how e-commerce can prove to be the definite road ahead for logistics.

Relating the two E-commerce business depends on serving customers and catering to their consumable requirements. The things that you choose from an e-commerce website needs to get delivered to you at the correct time and in the best possible shape. This is where logistics comes into the picture even much before that. The product that you choose to buy from an e-commerce website has to go through several processes before it finally reaches you.

E-Commerce being just a platform or a window to the products available for purchase it is the ability and planning of the logistics company to fulfill the order thereby catering to all the needs of the customers and satisfying them to a full extent most importantly with a prompt and reliable delivery. This can be achieved only via a proper and credible logistic provider.

Hence its imperative to say that with the kind of business growth seen in the retail business coupled with the flourishing use of E-commerce as the best technological platform it would mean that more growth is progressing towards the logistics business as well.

The Cycle of e-commerce and logistics is well integrated with the logistics industry and it surely hugely depends on the logistics operations for its success. From a consumers perspective, all he/she does is to place an order for an item from an e-commerce website and all that is expected is a timely delivery and cost benefits.

When the delivery person comes to a customer’s doorstep in order to deliver their product then that delivery person becomes the face of the e-commerce company, so it is very important for any e-commerce company to have an efficient logistics system in place. Hence for their own good, the e-commerce companies sometimes themselves develop their own logistics division so as to monitor everything from their end and do everything necessary like improving the software, training more people and introducing many efficient techniques which would, in turn, help their operations. But it is not necessary and vialble for every E-commerce company to have their own logistics system and in such scenarios, they tie up with one, so that they can make the process of delivery more smooth and efficient for the customer.

Many Investments are done in this partnership so that the logistic company can improve their technical and human resource aspect so that the company would be able to improve their business and incomes and in return, they would invest more in the logistics.

It is the best time in business today as we are witnessing many new players bring up their E-commerce sites to sell a variety of products to the consumers thereby giving more leverage and opportunities to many logistics companies. Without a doubt, E-commerce is here to stay and transportation companies have to get well equipped to meet the growing challenges in such a big opportunity.

Its been business time and you are excited about cracking the deal having found the precise buyers for your products offshore. What’s next in your mind is sure to find out the best ways and means to deliver your products to your customers. For those who have been in business for quite a while now are quite familiar about the procedures and various intricacies involved in delivering goods but it won’t be the same for many who have just started doing business in particular to buyers outside one’s country.

A lot of time and effort is involved in planning the delivery of your goods especially when you have to move your goods which will have to cross foreign waters. You have to prepare for the shipment of goods to a foreign buyer which will be based on certain specific terms and agreements. As your goods need to cross borders on foreign waters there are certain key documents which are essentials to support the export of goods from one country to another. Hence it is very important to understand these documents to carry out any export of goods. A few key documents are as follows:

Bill of Lading: This is one of the most important and common documents one comes across and is used in every international shipping, also a must know. The document normally will contain what goods are to be shipped, the origin and the destinations of the goods and once the shipment is picked this document will serve as a receipt which will be issued by the carrier.

Certificate of Origin: Basically this document is used to identify the country where the goods have been manufactured or made. It is prepared by the manufacturer and is certified by the respective government entity responsible or the chamber of commerce.

Commercial Invoice: This is a document which will have the entire export transaction which will also include the shipping terms once your international sale is complete and the goods are ready to ship out. This can be considered as one of the most important document as it provides all critical information and instructions to all the parties involved in the transaction.

Consular Invoice: This document is generally not required in all the countries and is a form which is available through the consular representative of the country you are shipping to. The document certifies the shipment of goods.

Dock Receipts: This is a document which is a receipt which is used to provide exporter with a proof that the delivery of goods to the international carrier was successful and was in good condition.

Inspection Certificate: A very credible certificate that is done with perishable, industrial equipment or meat products and it certifies that the items received are in good condition and the shipment contained the exact quantity.

Insurance Certificate: As liability and losses are always a major concern to the exporters its imperative that the goods or shipment are well covered under insurances. This document certifies that you have bought an insurance policy for the cargo.

Packing List: Though this seems to be similar to the shipping list a packing list will have the goods being shipping, all information on how the goods are packed, numbered and the weight and height dimensions. It is also an important document which is used by freight forwarders in order to prepare the bill of lading.

If you have any consultations required for Export Shipping and Logistics transportation then we have a very committed team of professionals to help you out. You can get in touch with us at Nautical Cargo any time of the day or drop it an Email to info@nauticalcargo.in

Logistics management is always a complex task especially today in an economic and business scenario wherein E-commerce is flourishing. It’s a great challenge for the logistics providers to keep pace with the growing client demands.

It’s going to be one of the best times for the logistics industry with the growing increase in E-commerce and with the kind of technological advancements in the form of various platforms as well as the availability of high speeds Internet connectivity. It’s technology which is playing a major role in transforming the shape of the industry today.